Keir Hardie school close to completion with rooftop garden celebration
The construction of new state-of-the-art Keir Hardie Primary School in Canning Town continues apace with the completion of the school’s rooftop garden and running track. To mark this milestone, The Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, Ian Sutcliffe, executive chairman at Countryside and 15 pupils from the school conducted a celebratory tree planting ceremony on the rooftop garden. They were joined by Affinity Sutton, Countryside’s housing association partner, Jerram Falkus, contractors on site, Baily Garner consultants, staff and children from Keir Hardie Primary School and local residents from the Fife Road Regeneration Group.
The ceremony took place in the morning on Wednesday 19 March and after short speeches from Sir Robin Wales, Ian Sutcliffe and Violet Otieno; head teacher at Keir Hardie School, the tree planting of a Tibetan cherry tree began, assisted by pupils from the school.
The rooftop garden will be a multipurpose space that includes a running track, green spaces and educational weather centre which the pupils can enjoy when the new school building opens later this year.
Speaking after the ceremony, Ian Sutcliffe, executive chairman of Countryside said: “Today’s tree planting ceremony was lots of fun and demonstrates just how close the school is to completion. Countryside has enjoyed great sales success with private homes at East City Point which is a very important part of the regeneration of Canning Town. The new school building will be a focal point for the community and epitomises our commitment to creating places people love.”
Sir Robin Wales Mayor of Newham said: “We’re committed to providing our residents with great homes, excellent schools and new and exciting neighborhoods as part of the Canning Town and Custom House regeneration.
“The completion of the new Keir Hardie School will give pupils a high quality learning environment where they can achieve the best they can and it will also become a hub to bring our community together.”
Violet Otieno, head teacher at Keir Hardie added: “It is an exciting time for the school community; the new school looks amazing and we are all really looking forward to the move in May.”
The new Keir Hardie Primary School is due for completion at the end of May 2014. It will be a two form entry school and will be able to accommodate 420 children aged between three and 11 years.
Designed across three-storeys, the new school building features a traditional London Square with a contemporary style and character. In addition to the rooftop garden, the school will have a nursery, children’s centre, hall and dance studio. The facilities will be shared with local residents for a variety of community uses and events.
Countryside has provided £7.38million towards the cost of the new school, and it is the focal point of the award winning 649 home East City Point development, and a key part of the transformative £3.7 billion Canning Town and Custom House regeneration programme.
The regeneration programme is delivering new and improved homes, an expanded town centre and improved links and connections across the A13 and between the bus and rail station. It will also lead to better quality streets and investment in infrastructure, services and community facilities.
For further information about homes available at East City Point please contact the sales office via telephone on 020 7473 1198, email eastcitypoint@cpplc.com or visit www.eastcitypoint.com.